Method and apparatus for evacuating hydrocarbons from a distressed well

ABSTRACT

A method of evacuating hydrocarbons from a plurality of nested tubulars of a well pipe, extending from an underwater well tree, includes attaching a fluid transmission line to the underwater well tree, the fluid transmission line having one end portion forming the attachment to the tree and the other end portion attached to a pump that forces fluid under pressure to the tree and attached nested tubulars. Openings are formed through one or more tubulars at a selected location. A specially configured fitting is attached to the tubulars. The fitting seals the openings. The fitting has an expandable seal that is expandable responsive to rotation of a rotating member that rotates upon a saddle, pulling a tapered mandrel against the seal. The saddle surrounds the mandrel and bears against an outer tubular of the nested tubulars. The fitting mandrel has a bore through which hydrocarbons escape from the tubulars.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non provisional patent application of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/407,779, filed 28 Oct. 2010.

Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/407,779,filed 28 Oct. 2010, hereby incorporated herein by reference, is herebyclaimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for evacuatinghydrocarbons from a distressed or damaged oil well (or oil and gas well)such as a hurricane or storm damaged oil well. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a method and apparatus for evacuatinghydrocarbons from a distressed or damaged well wherein a speciallyconfigured ported plug apparatus seals all strings of exterior casingbut provides an orifice to the casing string which holds the productiontubing, and wherein the plug can hold excessive pressure, enablinginjection through a well tree or crown valve to force the hydrocarbonsup through the plug and back to the surface in a safe and controlledprocess.

2. General Background of the Invention

After tropical storms such as hurricanes, wells can sometimes be damagedto the point where they must be “killed” or shut in. At times, thesewells are tilted over or moved to a generally horizontal position as aresult of wind and/or wave action. These damaged wells must be killed asthey are sometimes active producers of hydrocarbons which can causeleakage, spillage or other environmental problems. These damaged wellstypically will have some form of hydrocarbon material trapped in theproduction tubing and/or in the casing which can be grouted, un-groutedor multi-grouted.

These trapped hydrocarbons must be evacuated from the well before thewell “kill” and/or related plug and abandonment operations can takeplace. Traditionally, the evacuation of hydrocarbons from such a damagedor distressed well is performed by drilling a hole through all of thecasing strings to a position next to the production string. A fittingsuch as a nipple or collar is fitted to the pipe, sometimes under asmall pollution dome. A hose is attached to the pollution dome forenabling migration of the oil or hydrocarbons up to the water. Becausethe oil is lighter than seawater, the oil migrates out of the drilledpipes and back to the surface. This prior art procedure can sometimestake a long period of time such as, for example, about three to four(3-4) days with added expense.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improved method and apparatus for evacuatinghydrocarbons from a distressed or damaged well in an underwater orundersea environment. The apparatus provides a ported plug apparatuswhich will enter a drilled hole. The ported plug apparatus will seal offall casing strings of the exterior casing but have an orifice that is“open ended” to the casing string which holds the production tubing. Onthe exterior there can be a quick union such as a Bowen Quick Union(BQU). A hose communicates between the surface area and the plug.

The plug can hold high pressures (e.g. 5,000 psi (34,474 kPa)) uponinstallation. The ported plug apparatus allows the injection of pressurethrough a tree or crown valve. This injection of pressured fluid forcesthe oil up through the specially configured ported plug apparatus of thepresent invention and back to the surface in a controlled process.

With the method and apparatus of the present invention, hydrocarbons canbe moved in a matter of hours (for example, about three to four (3-4)hours) as opposed to days (for example, three to four (3-4) days). Withthe method and apparatus of the present invention, pressurized fluid canbe pumped through the tubing and take returns (hydrocarbons) through thespecially configured ported plug apparatus. If there is nocommunication, and in a gas lift well, the fluid is pumped through thespecially configured plug and takes return through the tubing. In eithercase, the well is rendered free of hydrocarbons and effectively killed.

A benefit of the method and apparatus of the present invention is thatif the production tubing has a positive pressure, a commerciallyavailable hot tap tool can be connected to the quick union or BowenQuick Union or BQU to the specially configured ported expandable plug.The production tubing can then be drilled into using the hot tap tool torelieve the pressure.

The inner production tubing can be surrounded by multiple layers ofcasing such as for example, seven inch (7″) (17.78 cm) casing(production casing), 13⅜ inch (33.97 cm) casing, or any other casing.These layers of casing can vary between about seven (7) inches (17.78cm) and thirty (30) inches (76.2 cm) as examples. Further, the wellcould provide intermediate production strings.

With the method and apparatus of the present invention, hydrocarbons canbe evacuated so that the well can be cut below the mud line to conformto federal safety standards. The method and apparatus of the presentinvention saves hundreds of thousands of dollars in repair costs becausethe prior art method typically involves three (3) or four (4) days atbetween about $100,000-$200,000 per day of repair expense (includingpersonnel, equipment, and supplies).

The present invention includes a method of evacuating hydrocarbons froma plurality of nested tubulars of an underwater well pipe extending froman underwater well tree, comprising steps of a) attaching a first fluidtransmission line to the underwater well tree, the fluid transmissionline having one end portion forming an attachment to the tree and theother end portion attached to a pump that enables transmission of fluidunder pressure to the tree and nested tubulars attached to the tree, b)forming openings through one or more tubulars of the nested tubulars ata selected location, c) attaching to the tubulars a fitting that sealsthe openings, the fitting having an expandable seal that is expandableresponsive to rotation of a rotating member that rotates upon a saddle,the saddle surrounding a mandrel and bearing against an outer tubular ofthe nested tubulars, d) wherein the fitting has a bore and enablinghydrocarbons to escape from the tubulars via the bore, and e)transmitting the escaping hydrocarbons of step “d” to a collectionvessel using a second fluid transmission line.

Preferably, the fitting surrounds the mandrel and in step “c” themandrel has a tapered section that slides relative to the seal.

Preferably, the mandrel has an externally threaded portion and therotating member is an internally threaded nut that engages saidexternally threaded portion of the mandrel.

Preferably, the threaded nut has one or more handles and step “c”includes rotating the nut by rotating one or more handles.

Preferably, the nested tubulars include a production flow line.

Preferably, the nested tubulars include one or more casing sectionssurrounding the production flow line.

Preferably, in step “c” the fitting has a flow bore and a flow openingthrough which pressurized fluids can flow and wherein the seal containspressurized fluid up to about 5,000 p.s.i. (34,474 kPa).

Preferably, the seal is of a rubber or rubber like material.

Preferably, the nested tubulars include a central production flow line,a first casing surrounding the production flow line and a second casingsurrounding the first casing and wherein there is a first annulus inbetween the production flow line and the first casing and a secondannulus in between the first casing and the second casing, wherein eachannulus is pressurized in steps “d” and “e”.

The present invention includes a method of evacuating hydrocarbons froma damaged assembly of nested tubulars and an underwater well tree of anunderwater oil well, comprising steps of a) attaching a fluidtransmission line to the underwater well tree, the fluid transmissionline having one end portion forming said attachment to the tree and theother end portion attached to a pump that enables a working fluid underpressure to be transmitted to the assembly of tree and nested tubulars,b) forming openings through one or more tubulars of the nested tubularsat a selected location, c) attaching to the tubulars a fitting thatseals the openings, said fitting having a flow bore, d) wherein in steps“a” and “c”, hydrocarbons escape from the tubulars via the bore as theworking fluid is pumped to the assembly of tree and nested tubulars.

Preferably, the fitting includes a tapered mandrel and a seal member,and wherein in step “c” the tapered mandrel expands the seal member toseal said openings.

Preferably, the mandrel has a bore and in step “d” the hydrocarbons exitvia the mandrel bore.

Preferably, the invention further comprises providing a storage tank andtransmitting the hydrocarbons to the storage tank via a flow line thatconnects between the fitting and the storage tank.

Preferably, the invention further comprises providing a vessel and instep “a” the pump is on the vessel.

Preferably, the invention further comprises providing a vessel and thestorage tank is on the vessel.

Preferably, the fitting surrounds the mandrel and in step “c” themandrel has a tapered section that moves relative to the seal.

Preferably, the mandrel has an externally threaded portion and arotating member is an internally threaded nut that engages saidexternally threaded portion of the mandrel.

Preferably, the threaded nut has one or more handles and step “c”includes rotating the nut by rotating one or more handles.

Preferably, the nested tubulars include a production flow line.

Preferably, the nested tubulars include multiple casing sectionssurrounding the production flow line.

Preferably, in step “c” the fitting has a flow bore and a flow openingthrough which pressurized fluids can flow and wherein the seal containspressurized fluid up to about 5,000 p.s.i. (34,474 kPa).

Preferably, in step “d” a return flow line transmits the escapinghydrocarbons to a collection tank.

Preferably, the nested tubulars include a central production flow line,a first casing surrounding the production flow line and a second casingsurrounding the first casing and wherein there is a first annulus inbetween the production flow line and the first casing and a secondannulus in between the first casing and the second casing, wherein eachannulus is pressurized in step “d”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages ofthe present invention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, read in conjunction with the following drawings, whereinlike reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken alone lines 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatusof the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an overall sectional view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating use of a preferredembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and showing themethod of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 16, there can be seen an oil well/well tree designated generallyby the numeral 40. Attached to the well tree 40 is a damaged ordistressed set of nested tubulars 11. These nested tubulars 11 can beseen more clearly in the sectional view of FIG. 15 wherein there is acentral production tubing or tubular 12. The central production tubing12 can be surrounded by multiple casing sections such as the casingsections 14, 16, 18 as shown. The production tubing 12 provides acentral bore 13 that is used to convey hydrocarbons to the surface whenthe well/well tree is operating.

Storms generate wind and wave action that cause damage to these nestedtubulars 11. Tubulars 11 are often bent over to an inclined or generallyhorizontal position as shown in FIG. 16. While the production tubing 12contains or can contain hydrocarbons under pressure, it is also possiblethat an annular space 15 in between the production tubing 12 and thefirst casing section 14 can also contain hydrocarbons under pressure.The annular space 15 can contain hydrocarbons under pressure, as can theannular space 17 which is in between casing sections 14 and 16.Likewise, the annular space 19 in between casing

sections 16 and 18 can also contain hydrocarbons under pressure.

In order to remove these hydrocarbons under pressure from the nestedtubulars 11, the present invention provides a damaged well hydrocarbonevacuation system that is designated generally by the numeral 10 inFIGS. 1, 14-16. The damaged well hydrocarbon evacuation system 10provides a mandrel 24 having a special configuration (see FIGS. 1, 8-9,14-15) as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The mandrel 24 and a seal 23 are fitted to a plurality of drilledopenings 20-22 that are cut through one or more of the casing sections14, 16, 18, as seen in FIG. 15. In FIG. 15, the drilled opening 20 isformed in casing section 14. The drilled opening 21 is formed in thecasing section 16. The drilled opening 22 is formed in the casingsection 18. A drilled opening could also be formed in the productiontubing 12. If the bore 13 of production tubing 12 is under pressure, acommercially available hot tapping tool can be used to cut an opening inthe production tubing 12 for communicating with bore 13. Similarly, ifthe annular spaces 15, 17 and/or 19 are under pressure, a commerciallyavailable hot tapping tool can be used to cut the openings 20, 21, 22.

The mandrel 24 has a mandrel tapered section or taper 25 and a threadedsection (e.g., external threads) 33. This tapered section 25 issurrounded by seal 23 (see FIGS. 1, 8-9, 14-15). The tapered section ortaper 25 gradually increases the diameter of the mandrel 24 in adirection away from the externally threaded section 33 or externalthreads 33 of mandrel 24 as shown in FIGS. 1, 8, 9, 14-15.

A saddle 26 (see FIGS. 1, 2-3, 14-15) is placed on the outermost casing18 as shown in FIG. 15. A tension nut 27 (see FIGS. 1, 4-5, 14-15) isattached to the external threads 33 of mandrel 24 as shown in FIGS. 1,4-5 and 14-15. A fitting 28 (see FIGS. 1, 12-15) is also attached to thethreads 33 of mandrel 24 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 15. The fitting 28 canbe a quick union such as a Bowen Quick Union (or BQU). Handles 29 can beprovided on saddle 26 for enabling a user to manipulate the handles andthus the saddle 26. Saddle 26 has a surface 30 that is shaped to conformgenerally to the outer surface of outer casing section 18 as seen inFIGS. 1-3 and 14-15. For example, saddle 26 surface 30 can be concave toconform to the convex outer surface 73 of casing section 18. (See FIG.15.) Saddle 26 provides a central opening 31 that enables the saddle 26to fit over the seal 23 and mandrel 24 as shown in FIGS. 1, 13-15. Thusthe seal 23, mandrel 24, and tapered section 25, and external threads 33of mandrel 24 all fit inside saddle 26, occupying a part of centralopening 31 as shown in FIGS. 1, 8-9, and 14-15.

Tension nut 27 provides one or more handles 32 for enabling a user torotate the tension nut 27 (see arrow 49, FIG. 14). Tension nut 27provides internal threads 34 that engage the external threads 33 ofmandrel 24. Tension nut 27 internal threads 34 surround tension nutopening 35 (See FIGS. 4-5, 14-15).

In FIG. 2, saddle 26 provides annular faces 36 a, 36 b which can form anangle of about ninety degrees as shown. Similarly, the tension nut 27provides annular faces 37 a, 37 b that can form an angle of about ninetydegrees as shown in FIG. 5. The annular faces 36 a, 37 a engage as shownin FIGS. 1 and 14. In order to apply more or less pressure against thesaddle 26, a user rotates the handles 32 and thus the tension nut 27.When the tension nut 27 is rotated in a direction that applies tensionto the mandrel 24, this action also pulls mandrel 24 in the direction ofarrow 45, applying outward pressure via mandrel 24 (see arrows 48) toseal 23 pressing the seal 23 against the casing sections 14, 16, 18 atthe openings 22, 21, 20 (See FIGS. 14-15).

Mandrel 24 provides a bore 38 that communicates with fitting 28 and areturn flow line 39 connected to fitting 28. An open end 44 of mandrel24 enables an intake of hydrocarbons to be removed from the nestedtubulars 11. Arrow 45 in FIG. 14 illustrates the direction of flow ofoil that has been captured from the nested tubulars 11 for return to asurface tank 41 via flow line 39 (See FIGS. 14-16).

In order to remove the hydrocarbons from the nested tubulars 11, a pump42 and pump flow line 43 are employed. A connection 46 is formed withwell tree 40. During operation (see FIGS. 15, 16), pump 42 on vessel 50pumps a selected fluid (for example, sea water) under pressure throughflow line 43 to connection 46 and then to well tree 40 (see arrows 52,FIG. 16). This pressurized fluid pressurizes the well tree 40 and alsothe production tube 12 and/or any selected annular space 15, 17, or 19.The pressurized sea water or other fluid thus purges any hydrocarbonsfrom the nested tubulars 11 to tank 41 via mandrel 24 bore 38 and flowline 39 to vessel 50 at water surface area 51 (see arrows 53, FIG. 16;see also FIGS. 14-15).

FIGS. 10-11 show seal 23 in more detail. The seal 23 has a seal wall 56of variable thickness as seen in FIG. 10. Wall 56 thus has a thinner endportion 57 and a thicker end portion 58. Wall 56 can provide a uniformtaper (as shown in FIG. 10) between end portions 57 and 58. Annularflange 54 is provided on seal 23 at the thickened end portion 58. Flange54 and wall 56 surround open ended bore 55. Annular surface 59 of flange54 rests upon annular shoulder 60 of saddle 26 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2(see also FIG. 10).

In FIGS. 12-13, fitting 28 has externally threaded section 61 thatenables a threaded connection to be formed with a union or fitting 69 atan end portion of return flow line 39 as seen in FIGS. 15-16. Fitting 28has tapered section 62 and internally threaded portion 63 for connectingwith threads 33 of mandrel 24 (see FIGS. 13-15).

Handles 29 have projecting portions 64 that press washer 47 againstflange 54 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 14 (see also FIG. 10). Internallythreaded openings 65 of saddle 26 enable a connection to be formedbetween externally threaded portions 67 of handles 29 and saddle 26 (seeFIG. 3). Similarly, handles 32 each have an externally threaded portion68 that enables each handle 32 to form a threaded connection with aninternally threaded opening 66 on nut 27 (see FIGS. 4-7).

Mandrel 24 has an unthreaded portion 70 that fits a correspondinglyshaped unthreaded portion 71 of fitting 28. An o-ring 72 can be providedat the joint of these unthreaded portions 70, 71 (see FIGS. 1, 9, 13).

The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in thepresent invention:

PARTS LIST Parts Number Description 10 damaged well hydrocarbonevacuation system 11 nested tubulars 12 production tubing 13 bore 14casing section 15 annular space 16 casing section 17 annular space 18outer casing section 19 annular space 20 drilled opening 21 drilledopening 22 drilled opening 23 seal 24 mandrel 25 mandrel taper/taperedsection 26 saddle 27 tension nut 28 fitting 29 handle 30 surface 31central opening 32 handle 33 external threads/threaded section 34internal threads 35 tension nut opening 36a annular face of saddle 36bannular face of saddle 37a annular face of tension nut 37b annular faceof tension nut 38 mandrel bore 39 return flow line 40 oil well/well tree41 tank 42 pump 43 flow line 44 open end 45 arrow 46 connection 47washer/bearing 48 arrow 49 arrow 50 vessel 51 water surface area 52arrow 53 arrow 54 annular flange 55 bore 56 seal wall 57 thinner endportion 58 thicker end portion 59 annular surface 60 annular shoulder 61externally threaded section 62 tapered section 63 internally threadedportion 64 projecting portion 65 internally threaded opening 66internally threaded opening 67 externally threaded portion 68 externallythreaded portion 69 union/fitting 70 unthreaded portion/section 71unthreaded portion/section 72 o-ring 73 convex outer surface

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature andpressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. Allmaterials used or intended to be used in a human being arebiocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; thescope of the present invention is to be limited only by the followingclaims.

1. A method of evacuating hydrocarbons from a plurality of nestedtubulars of an underwater well pipe extending from an underwater welltree, comprising steps of: a) attaching a first fluid transmission lineto the underwater well tree, the fluid transmission line having one endportion forming an attachment to the tree and the other end portionattached to a pump that enables transmission of fluid under pressure tothe tree and nested tubulars attached to the tree; b) forming openingsthrough one or more tubulars of the nested tubulars at a selectedlocation; c) attaching to the tubulars a fitting that seals theopenings, the fitting having an expandable seal that is expandableresponsive to rotation of a rotating member that rotates upon a saddle,the saddle surrounding a mandrel and bearing against an outer tubular ofthe nested tubulars; d) wherein the fitting has a bore and enablinghydrocarbons to escape from the tubulars via the bore; and e)transmitting the escaping hydrocarbons of step “d” to a collectionvessel using a second fluid transmission line.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the fitting surrounds the mandrel and in step “c” the mandrelhas a tapered section that slides relative to the seal.
 3. The method ofclaim 2 wherein the mandrel has an externally threaded portion and therotating member is an internally threaded nut that engages saidexternally threaded portion of the mandrel.
 4. The method of claim 3wherein the threaded nut has one or more handles and step “c” includesrotating the nut by rotating one or more handles.
 5. The method of claim1 wherein the nested tubulars include a production flow line.
 6. Themethod of claim 5 wherein the nested tubulars include one or more casingsections surrounding the production flow line.
 7. The method of claim 1wherein in step “c” the fitting has a flow bore and a flow openingthrough which pressurized fluids can flow and wherein the seal containspressurized fluid up to about 5,000 p.s.i. (34,474 kPa).
 8. The methodof claim 1 wherein the seal is of a rubber or rubber like material. 9.The method of claim 1 wherein the nested tubulars include a centralproduction flow line, a first casing surrounding the production flowline and a second casing surrounding the first casing and wherein thereis a first annulus in between the production flow line and the firstcasing and a second annulus in between the first casing and the secondcasing, wherein each annulus is pressurized in steps “d” and “e”.
 10. Amethod of evacuating hydrocarbons from a damaged assembly of nestedtubulars and an underwater well tree of an underwater oil well,comprising steps of: a) attaching a fluid transmission line to theunderwater well tree, the fluid transmission line having one end portionforming said attachment to the tree and the other end portion attachedto a pump that enables a working fluid under pressure to be transmittedto the assembly of tree and nested tubulars; b) forming openings throughone or more tubulars of the nested tubulars at a selected location; c)attaching to the tubulars a fitting that seals the openings, saidfitting having a flow bore; d) wherein in steps “a” and “c”,hydrocarbons escape from the tubulars via the bore as the working fluidis pumped to the assembly of tree and nested tubulars.
 11. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the fitting includes a tapered mandrel and a sealmember, and wherein in step “c” the tapered mandrel expands the sealmember to seal said openings.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein themandrel has a bore and in step “d” the hydrocarbons exit via the mandrelbore.
 13. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a storagetank and transmitting the hydrocarbons to the storage tank via a flowline that connects between the fitting and the storage tank.
 14. Themethod of claim 10 further comprising providing a vessel and in step “a”the pump is on the vessel.
 15. The method of claim 13 further comprisingproviding a vessel and the storage tank is on the vessel.
 16. The methodof claim 11 wherein the fitting surrounds the mandrel and in step “c”the mandrel has a tapered section that moves relative to the seal. 17.The method of claim 11 wherein the mandrel has an externally threadedportion and a rotating member is an internally threaded nut that engagessaid externally threaded portion of the mandrel.
 18. The method of claim17 wherein the threaded nut has one or more handles and step “c”includes rotating the nut by rotating one or more handles.
 19. Themethod of claim 10 wherein the nested tubulars include a production flowline.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the nested tubulars includemultiple casing sections surrounding the production flow line.
 21. Themethod of claim 10 wherein in step “c” the fitting has a flow bore and aflow opening through which pressurized fluids can flow and wherein theseal contains pressurized fluid up to about 5,000 p.s.i. (34,474 kPa).22. The method of claim 10 wherein in step “d” a return flow linetransmits the escaping hydrocarbons to a collection tank.
 23. The methodof claim 10 wherein the nested tubulars include a central productionflow line, a first casing surrounding the production flow line and asecond casing surrounding the first casing and wherein there is a firstannulus in between the production flow line and the first casing and asecond annulus in between the first casing and the second casing,wherein each annulus is pressurized in step “d”.